Selling Homes in KC

Thursday, June 29, 2017

CHECK OUT THIS BEAUTIFULLY CUSTOM BUILT HOME IN HICKORY WOODS! HUGE OPEN FLOOR PLAN! BACKS TO A BEAUTIFUL SERENE FOREST VIEW, NO MOWING FOR BACKYARD, SIT OUT & ENJOY LIFE ON ANY OF THE 2-TIERED DECKS!BEAUTIFUL NATURAL LIGHTING WITH LARGE BAY, CASEMENT WINDOWS & SKYLIGHTS! LOW MAINTENANCE WITH NO HOA! 3 OUT OF 4 BEDROOMS WITH LARGE WALK-IN CLOSETS! LARGE MASTER SUITE & LAUNDRY ROOM ON MAIN FLOOR! EXTRA DEEP 2 CAR GARAGE! TONS OF STORAGE SPACE! WORKSHOP SET UP IN WALK-OUT BASEMENT! IN-GROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM & MORE!!

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 4,114

Price: $285,000

For more information about this property, please contact sarah boston at (913)-647-7169 or sarahbostonhomes@gmail.com. You can also text 4433014 to 67299.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

ACT FAST!! THIS ONE WONT LAST! THIS IS THE IDYLLIC-BEAUTIFULLY WELL MAINTAINED RANCH HOME!LARGE OPEN FLOOR PLAN, SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM THAT OPENS TO THE KITCHEN! ENJOY SOME ICED TEA ON THE FRONT PORCH OR BACK DECK WHILE OVERLOOKING YOUR QUIET & SERENE 0.5 ACRES! BEAUTIFUL HARDWOOD FLOORS, LOTS OF STORAGE! ON NICE/PRIVATE STREET. SPORTING A BRAND NEW ROOF WITH A 5 YR. WARRANTY! CLOSE TO EVERYTHING LOCATED MINUTES FROM THE LEGENDS & CERNER! CLOSE TO SHOPPING, HIGHWAYS, SCHOOLS & MORE!

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,684

Price: $129,000

For more information about this property, please contact sarah boston at (913)-647-7169 or sarahbostonhomes@gmail.com. You can also text 4404844 to 67299.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

The results of a decades long study from the University College London on the impact of loneliness and isolation has shown that both loneliness and infrequent contact with friends and family can, independently, shorten a person’s life. Learn more about the dangers of seniors living alone.

The Dangers of More Seniors Living Alone

According to AARP, nearly 90% of people over age 65 want to stay at home for as long as possible. Living at home and staying in a familiar community may offer benefits to seniors’ emotional well-being — but research indicates that a staggering number of seniors who should be receiving assisted living care are still living at home — in many cases, alone.

To some of us, the answer may seem obvious: make the move to an assisted living communitywhere social activity, health monitoring and medication management is all included. However, moving to senior living can be a difficult decision, particularly if your loved one is not keen on moving. For more information, read our guide to assisted living vs. in-home care.

The Administration on Agingreports that about 29%, or 11.3 million older adults lived alone in 2010. At the same time, it’s estimated that over 12% of seniors 65 and older — more than 5 million —need assistance with long-term careto perform activities of daily life.

Those seniors who are low-income or live in poverty are even more likely to live at home rather than in a facility, even if they require more care. The numbers for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia are, quite frankly, startling: of the 60-70% of seniors with dementia living in the community, 25% live alone, reports the Alzheimer’s Association.

When Living Alone is Unsafe

If we want our loved ones to remain safe and healthy, it’s important to make sure their environment is appropriate to their physical needs—particularly if they’re showing early signs of cognitive impairment.

If you notice that your loved one needs help with daily activities such as eating, bathing and dressing, they may have decreased cognitive functioning associated with early or middle stage dementia. Even in their own home, the combination of poor eyesight and minor safety hazards can put seniors at risk for falls, broken hips and even death.

Keeping track of physical symptoms, mental health, and senior nutrition is of critical importance. Warning signs that living alone is no longer safe for an older adult include:

In today's market for a Seller you have to be above the edge if you expect to get the highest priced home in your neighborhood. First realize is your home or neighborhood what most first time home buyers are looking for? If you are unsure I will tell you, as I help first time home buyers daily and can tell you exactly what they are truly looking for in your home! They want to fall in love from the second they enter your home. If they don't have that moment, the rest of the home is just blah to them and they are thinking about the other 8 homes they are going to see today or another day!

#1. First time home buyers under the age of 40 are looking for: Stainless steel appliances, newer roof, newer AC Furnace within the last 7 years, grey modern colored walls ( not always the case but often) white trim, granite or granite looking countertops, cabinet color varies, hardwood floors definitely are the largest selling points for most buyers. Again this is not everyone but the majority in that age range that is what they are looking for! #2. First time home buyers want Location, Location, Location, often they are not thinking too far ahead into children's schools if they do not have any. They want a good location as far as interests, work distance, biking trails, dog parks etc. #3. What are the items in the home that need to be redone, most first time home buyers do not want a large project, more decor, painting, items, carpet doesn't scare them but the rest of the home needs to not have too much work ie. foundation is a no go. Most first time home buyers will shy away from any foundation work that needs to be completed, even if it is minor, so as a seller to get the most for your homes value on the market often you will want to partner with a realtor to get someone trusted who does insure their work and will get it done at an affordable rate for you. Do not.. I repeat do not ..start calling the yellow pages, it often does not get you the best results or best service!#4. What does your home look like from the outside? Does it look like this?

or This?

The condition of the exterior of your home landscaping can reduce your sale price by 10% at least! So clean up the yard, plant bright colored flowers and just make sure it looks sellable! Again Contact your local agent and they can be your second pair of eyes to let you know what will look best!

Monday, January 23, 2017

Many homeowners
consider investing in an income or rental property as a means for extra
income. Many real estate markets throughout the U.S. have seen tons of growth
in recent years, with rental properties highly sought-after in some popular
markets. Generally, real estate is a solid investment in terms of ROI (return
on investment) over the long term. While a rental property might seem like a
sure thing for extra income, there are advantages as well as disadvantages to
income properties. If you've been toying with the idea of investing in
another property, consider some of the points below before making your final
decision.

Direct Income Stream

One major advantage of
an income property is a direct income stream. Monthly rent checks go directly
to you, which based on whether or not the property has a mortgage, go
directly into your business account. Should the property be continually
rented throughout the year, the monthly payments will add up to a pretty
sizeable sum by the end of the year, which is extra income in your pocket.
Even if the property has a mortgage, the difference between the mortgage
payment and rent check will undoubtedly be a positive addition to your
account.

One of the
biggest draws for real estate is the expected property value increase over
the long term. In a good real estate market, a property should increase in
value a specific percentage in accordance with the market. If you're able to
purchase a property while the market is down, the long term return on
investment (ROI) could be quite significant if you plan on keeping the property
for some time. If you live in a popular market, the value increase could be
significant in only a couple years, and if you have a mortgage on the
property, you will be able to leverage your ROI even more since the property
value increase is based on the total value of the property and your initial
investment may have been a small percentage.

As you maintain and
upgrade the property, you'll likely recoup some of the costs you've put into
it. Regular maintenance (things like exterior painting, new siding, upgrading
a roof, landscaping, etc.) help to increase the overall value of the
property. Pair sweat equity with a property value increase, and the overall
value of your investment property should grow over the years, garnering you
more money in the long run.

As a property
owner, tax deductions are always a good thing. When it comes to rental
property, tax deductions are a for sure thing. With the current guidelines,
property owners have the ability to write-off interest on the mortgage or
credit card used to make purchases for the income property. Things that can
also be written off: insurance, any maintenance repairs, expenses for travel
to and from the property, any legal or professional fees, and of course the
property taxes.

Disadvantages of Rental/Income Properties

Risk of Asset Concentration

For many of
those interested in a rental or income property, the ability to purchase the
property outright is not a reality. Many owners will need to have a mortgage
on the property; and for those able to buy in cash, the amount needed will
likely eat into the majority of a person's total net worth. Because of the
huge concentration of assets in one item, there is a potential to see no
return on the initial investment, especially if the real estate market as a
whole takes a drastic turn or the economy goes into a recession. If you're
looking at an investment property as a financial investment, having the
majority of your assets concentrated in one item is not advised and a poor
investment scheme. Also, real estate requires a sufficient amount of funds on
the side to handle any periods of time when you, as a property owner, need
cash.

Tenant Issues

The only way to make
money off a rental or income property is to have tenants. While the Internet
provides a number of ways to find tenants, as a property owner you want your
tenants to be responsible (pay the bills on time, take care of the property,
and be long-term renters). Finding the right tenant can be a process: from
running advertisements to credit and background checks, the tenant process
can take some time and can cost a property owner a considerable amount in a
short time. Should the tenants end up being a nightmare, you'll see
additional costs to fix any wear and tear.

Taxes, Fees, Insurance

Regardless of
whether or not the property is rented, as the owner you'll have regular
payments for property taxes, home insurance, HOA fees, and regular upkeep.
Property insurance on rental properties can be higher than non-rentals, and
overall taxes, fees and insurance eat into the overall income generated by
the property. You are able to write some things off on your taxes, but that
only happens once a year, not every month.

Being Involved

One of the
biggest parts of owning an income property is maintenance. Maintaining the
property is a challenge, especially when it has to be done regularly. From
major appliances to structural components like the roof or the driveway, the
property owner maintains and covers the cost. If you have tenants that don't
like fixing things, it's likely you will be called when something goes wrong -
from a clogged toilet or sink to leaking appliances or major property damage.
Not only does maintenance take time, it also takes money.

Owning an
income or rental property has its advantages and disadvantages. It's
important, as a potential investor, to know the real estate market you're
looking to invest in. You should take your time to thoroughly consider your
financial resources, the real estate market and economy as a whole, and all
the pluses and minuses of owning a rental home before you take the plunge.For More Information Contact Homes by Sarah Boston 913-424-0427 WWW.SARAHBOSTONHOMES.COM

Do you need to sell your house? Are you overwhelmed with the clutter and everything you need to get organized to get the place show ready? One thing or room at a time. That’s how you will tackle de-cluttering and organizing your house to sell, one room at a time.

Depersonalize and remove any references to strong political or religious statements

File away or shred all statements with personal information

Gather important documents and records and put them in one location. Don’t forget; birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, home movies, memorabilia, medical records and insurance policies. All of these items should be hand carried to your new home and not accessible by prospective buyers or the moving company.

Create a mailbox system assigning one box for each member of the family to manage incoming paperwork while the house is listed for sale

Sort the pantry. Throw away everything that has expired and donate anything you won’t be using before the move

Add freestanding expandable shelves in the pantry to increase space, even a small pantry can look spacious if organized well

Evaluate the contents of every drawer with this in mind; items that are used daily stay, items that are used occasionally can be packed and items no longer useful should be donated. This will help to give the kitchen the appearance of space.

Clear clutter off the counter tops. Only small appliances that are used daily and three colorful accessory items should remain. All others should be packed away.

Clean all the appliances inside and out. Don’t forget the top of the fridge.

Remove pictures, magnets, calendars, and any personal artwork from the fridge.

Every family member gets a small caddy to keep personal hygiene items in. When not in use it is stored under the sink. Give everyone a small container of wipes to keep in the caddy and instruct them to wipe down surfaces after use.